Eliud Kipchoge, the Kenyan marathon legend, addresses the severe repercussions of online trolling, including its effect on his professional performance and personal life, after false accusations linked him to the death of fellow runner Kelvin Kiptum.
Eliud Kipchoge, a two-time Olympic marathon champion from Kenya, has publicly addressed the severe impact of online trolling following unfounded allegations linking him to the death of Kelvin Kiptum, another Kenyan marathon runner. Kiptum, who was 24, died in a car crash after recently breaking Kipchoge’s world record in Chicago.
Kipchoge recounted the significant repercussions of these rumours, stating that they led to threats against his family and a considerable loss of his friends. The online abuse affected his performance, contributing to a 10th place finish at the Tokyo Marathon. Despite the challenges, Kipchoge is aiming for a third consecutive gold medal at the Paris 2024 Olympics.
The marathon runner criticised social media platforms for their inaction in curbing such abusive behaviours and voiced his support for initiatives like the International Olympic Committee’s plan to employ artificial intelligence to shield athletes from similar issues in the future.
Kipchoge, reflecting on his emotional struggles due to the ordeal, emphasized the disruptions to his family life and the long-lasting impact on his ability to trust others. He called for more decisive actions from social media companies to address and prevent the spread of false information and harassment.
